Pseudogynecomastia Surgery

WHAT IS PSEUDOGYNECOMASTIA?

This condition looks a lot like gynecomastia, but with some very notable differences. In this instance, the cause of chest enlargement is fat rather than tissue, and this is a very important fact and makes all the difference in terms of treatment. In other words, just because you have a large chest doesn’t necessarily mean you have gynecomastia.

Before you ask for treatment, you should see a doctor so that a proper diagnosis can be performed. Do not try to guess because the success of the treatment depends on the reliability of the diagnosis.
How to Know if You Have Gynecomastia or Pseudogynecomastia.

As indicated above, the biggest difference between the two is the mass that’s causing the swelling. If it’s gynecomastia, the culprit is excess breast tissue. But if it is pseudo gynecomastia the cause is fat.

To sum up the difference between the two, gynecomastia is:

Due to excess breast tissue growth

Visibility depends on the grade

The underlying matter is tissue

On the other hand, pseudo man boobs have the following characteristics:

The increased chest mass is due to buildup of fat in the area surrounding the nipples

The more fat is deposited in the chest area, the larger it gets
In gynecomastia, the underlying matter is breast tissue, but with pseudo man boobs it’s fatty deposits

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE PSEUDOGYNECOMASTIA?

Now that you know what is pseudogynecomastia you’ll be prepared to undergo diagnosis to determine the cause. In a typical diagnostic procedure, you’ll be asked to lie down with your clasped hands behind your head. Dr. Lebowitz will move his fingers along the sides of your chest, as he’s searching for a firm or rubbery area around the nipples. If he feels it, you’re suffering from glandular gynecomastia, but if there’s none then it’s the pseudo-variant.

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE?

The treatment depends on whether it is pseudo gynecomastia or gynecomastia, but if it’s the former, the first thing you need to do is lose weight. By reducing the fat in the rest of your body you will also bring down the level of fat deposited in your chest. It will help to perform some chest exercises, but the results will be even better if you work out your entire body so fat loss will be more balanced.

If working out doesn’t remove the mass, there’s a good chance it’s not fat, and that there’s a problem with your breast tissues. If you’ve been working out but there’s no improvement, you need to have the glandular tissue removed.

About Dr. Jonathan Lebowitz

Dr. Jonathan Lebowitz at Lebowitz Plastic Surgery in Huntington, Long Island NY is a Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon with over 25 years of extensive training and experience. After receiving an MD degree at the top-rated Medical School of Case Western Reserve... Read More About Dr. Lebowitz.